I am not able to download PDFs on Android devices, I placed some PDF documents on a webpage. I find that they open fine on the desktop and iOS devices. However, on Android devices, I get a message that the PDF cannot be downloaded. What can I do to remedy this issue?
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In Android 7, version 18.4.1 (and all other recent versions) of Adobe Acrobat Reader can open this URL directly from a link on a web page:
http://dailysudoku.com/sudoku//pdf/2018/11/2018-11-27_S1_N1.pdf
In Android 6, the same version of Adobe Acrobat Reader *cannot* open that link directly from a web page, but shows an error screen instead; however, it can open the document if I manually download it to storage first.
Please tell your dev team that there is a misconfiguration (probably around permissions) for opening web links in Android 6. They should have no problem reproducing the bug.
I'd suggest to check if some preferences ir settings have changed at the web browser level.
I suspect this may have to do when Android OS performs an unattended update.
For example, uninstalling and reinstalling the Acrobat Reader Mobile App alone may not resolve the issue because the underlying problem seems to be more related to download location preferences (to the internal mobile device memory or SD Card).
It may be also related to setting the default PDF handler in that device, in which case, you may need to make the Acrobat Reader mobile app the default PDF handler rather than the web browser (or whatever your new Samsung device comes pre-configured with ).
OR, maybe changing the deafult download location that you are currently using in the web browser (save download automatically or ask every time) is also necessary.
Last, there are few new experimental features in the new Chrome and Firefox web browsers that are hidden; to disable them may require some advanced knowledge using the:
chrome://flags or about:flags
Below are some slides to help visualize what I am referring to:
- With the Acrobat Reader Mobile App opened, sign in with your AdobeID; then see the slides below and make this app the default PDF handler
 
 
 
- Then go to the Acrobat Preferences and select where to download files:
 
- NOTE that the internal storage (or internal phone memory) is a secured location and may restrict the user or apps from accessing certain directories.
- If this is the current Document Cloud cache location that the Acrobat Reader mobile app is using, switch to SD Card.
- Then in the web browser that you're curently using to click on downloadable links, go to settings and choose the following:
Notice in my screenshot that I've also configured in my Android device where to store my downloads.
- In addition I've also set the option to ask where to save files. This allows me to have manual control of which folders or directories I need my downloads to be stored into rather than letting my device handle every download automatically.
- For extra precaution, and to avoid clicking unknowingly on malformed URLs or malicious hyperlinks with redirects, I've also blocked automatic pop-ups and redirection at the browser level in the "Privacy and Security" settings:
 
- This configuration allows me to paste the link shown below in any of my 5 different Chrome-based engine web browsers; a pop- up will ask me to confirm the download.
- Soon after that, the file should open automatically in the Acrobat Reader mobile app.
Sequence of steps is shown in the next sets of slides below:
 
 
- When you confirm by clicking on the download button, all you have to do is swipe down the notification screen, and you'll see that the download manager has successfully downloaded the file.
- Just click on the link to that file provided by the download manager and it will open up in Acrobat.
 
 
 
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